[Question #13892] Syphilis and HIV from giving handjob

1 months ago

Hello Doctors. This question is more so from my previous exposures. A few times in my life I gave a handjob to random men. I only used one hand and immediately washed my hands ofter. I never saw a sore or lesion but who can really see that well in dim lit areas. I didn’t know these men and it was pretty anonymous after club meetings and what not. No oral, anal or vaginal sex occured. I usually test for syphilis yearly and always test negative. I might have done this one more time after my last negative syphilis test and was wondering if you think this is any type of risk for syphilis or hiv. Thanks. Also, would you recommend testing? Thanks

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Welcome back to the forum, but I'm surprised you found it necessary. These questions were answered in your two previous questions 9 months and 1 month ago. Here is my initial reply to your last question:

Your previous question 9 months ago also asked about hand-genital contact and my reply now is similar. HIV and STIs are not transmitted genital contact with hands, fingers, or breasts-- even without gloves, condoms or other barriers. None of the events you describe here put you at risk and there is no chance you could infect your wife with anything after such exposures. Washing hands after your masturbated a partner was common sense from a general hygiene standpoint, but there would have been no HIV/STI risk if you had not washed.

The science and our advice have not changed. You should be tested for HIV, syphilis, or any other STI on account of the events you have described.

Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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1 months ago

Hi Doctor. Are you saying I should or shouldn’t be tested for hiv, syphilis, or any other infection on account of the events I described? I’m thinking your last sentence had a typo maybe (hopefully)

I guess just for reassurance. I’ve had negative rprs yearly with these events and negative hiv tests as well.

Also, I know the new clinic I’m going to orders treponoma tests for syphilis instead of rpr. If my rpr tests were negative, do you anticipate my treponoma tests to be negative as well?

If you were in my shoes, would you hesitate to start ling a family with your spouse and having unprotected intercourse?

1 months ago

I guess I became concerned once more because I read reports of syphilis chancre in fingertips. Granted, these events were rare, and I didn’t personally notice any chancres in my hand. That’s why I re asked the same question regarding giving handjobs with my hand

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Oops -- you should NOT be tested for anything. Apologies for the typo!

If your only sexual experiences are the ones (and the kind) described in your three separate forum questions, there no need for annual testing for syphilis; and I likewise see no need for testing other than RPR. And of course it is safe to have unprotected sex with a new committed partner and start a family.

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1 months ago

Last quick follow up Dr.

Hypothetically, if one were to test for treponoma antibody based off these massage or handjob instances, would that test too be negative as well? I know my rpr were negative but I never truly did a treponoma test. This info is simply for education, not because I want to test. Just more so what the difference between the two are and if one is more accurate than the other.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

For any and all infections, the source and mechanism of infection has zero effect on the reliability or timing of testing for that infection. You do not need a treponemal test.

"Accuracy" of the syphilis blood tests depends on context. The problem with RPR and the reason some sources (especially outside the US) recommend dual testing -- like with both RPR and TPHA or other confirmatory test -- is the high frequency of false positive RPR results, i.e. people who test positive but don't have syphilis. If RPR is positive but TPHA negative, that person is not infected. If the RPR is negative, it is 100% proof against active syphilis. Therefore, in the US and other countries where syphilis is relatively uncommon, RPR alone is advised. If positive, additional tests are necessary. But negative results mean there is no syphilis and no further testing is neeeded.

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful.

Please note the forum policy against repeated questions on the same topic. This being your third about non-intercourse transmission of syphilis, HIV or other STIs, it must be your last. Repetitive questions like yours may be deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee. The forum sponsor doesn't want repeated payment for questions already answered (or whose answers are obvious from previous discussions) and repeated answers tend to prolong rather than relieve anxiety. In addition, such questions have reduced educational value for other users, one of the forum's goals. Trust me: our replies will never change despite whatever details you might think are different than last time. Thank you for your understanding.

Best wishes and stay safe.l

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